History and Comparative Literature

VQ12 BA (Hons) 3 years

Overview

Comparative Literature makes connections between literary texts of different times, places and traditions and between literature and film, music, the visual arts and popular culture, while History complements the study of literature enabling you to gain an understanding of the intellectual, political and social context in which literature is conceived. The History programme covers all the main themes in medieval, modern and contemporary history, ranging from British to European, American, Asian and African topics. Advanced module options in the second and final years permit you to concentrate on the areas of literature and history that interest you most. You will divide your time equally between the two subjects, and you will be able to focus on the intersection of both in a research project in your third year.

Why study History and Comparative Literature at Queen Mary?

Comparative Literature is taught in the thriving School of Languages, Linguistics and Film. This means that you will be taught by people who are breaking new ground in their fields, who will be able to pass on their passion and knowledge to you.

The School of History at Queen Mary, is one of the largest, friendliest and most distinguished history departments in the capital. The School prides itself on top-quality teaching from leading academics in their fields, including the President of the Royal Historical Society, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, three recipients of the French distinction of the Ordre des Palmes académiques, and four Fellows of the British Academy.

Through strong engagement with the world outside, many of our staff in the History department contribute regularly to television, radio and the print media. We also count an Ex-MP and a member of the House of Lords among our academic body, and through our famous Mile End Group think tank we have strong links to the worlds of journalism and politics.

Year abroad option

History and Comparative Literature with a Year AbroadVQ1Y BA (four years)

You can choose to apply for a four-year version of this degree with a full year abroad. We have links with universities around the world, including Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia (specific partnerships for each programme may vary). While there are no extra tuition fees associated with these placements abroad, you will need to cover the cost of your transport to your destination and your living expenses, including accommodation.

Studying abroad is an excellent way to grow in confidence and broaden your outlook on life by experiencing another culture, while making friends and having fun. When you return to QMUL after this experience, you will have a new perspective on life for your final year and will be awarded the ‘with study abroad’ variant in your degree title, which will help you stand out to employers.

QMUL will aim to deliver your programme so that it closely matches the way in which it has been described to you by QMUL in print, online, and/or in person. However, it is important to realise that in some circumstances, we may change aspects of your programme. See our full terms and conditions to read more:

Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification.

Contextualised admissions

We consider every application on its individual merits and will take into consideration your individual educational experiences and context. More information on how academic schools and programmes use this information as part of the admissions process, can be found on our contextualised admissions pages.

Vocational and Other Qualifications

The College accepts a wide range of qualifications such as Access and Foundation programmes, vocational awards, Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers and other Baccalaureates. You are advised to contact the Admissions team (admissions@qmul.ac.uk) before making an application so that we can give individual advice.

Admission is based on academic merit and on the proven ability of the applicant to achieve success on their chosen programme of study. Every application to Queen Mary is considered on its individual merits with personal statement and reference taken into consideration.

Combined Qualifications

If you are taking a combination of qualifications at Level 3, we will consider your academic profile and may make offers on a case-by-case basis. You are advised to contact the Admissions team (admissions@qmul.ac.uk) before making an application so that we can give individual advice.

Advanced Entry

Subject to the policy of the programme, it may be possible for students to join undergraduate degree programmes at the beginning of the second year of a three or four year degree programme or, sometimes, the beginning of the third year of a four year programme. Please note, not all schools will consider advanced entry. You are advised to contact the Admissions team (admissions@qmul.ac.uk) before making an application for individual advice.

If you are applying for advanced entry on the basis of a post A-Level qualification, such as the BTEC HND, you should apply via UCAS in the usual way. If you wish to transfer your degree studies from another UK higher education institution, you will be considered on the basis of your original A-Level or equivalent qualifications, current syllabus, academic references and results.

We typically expect you to have achieved a 2.1 standard on your current programme and have already met the standard equivalent first year entry requirements. Applications must be submitted via UCAS.

Non-UK students

European and International Applicants

Our students come from over 162 countries and we accept a wide range of European and International Qualifications for entry, in addition to A-Levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please see our International Admissions webpages for further details of our academic requirements, and information regarding how we assess the equivalence of your qualification.

Applicants will typically be expected to be taking academic subjects relevant to the programme of study. You are advised to review the A-Level and IB requirements for an indication of these subjects. If you are at all unclear, the Admissions team (admissions@qmul.ac.uk) is happy to advise you further.

Learning and teaching

You will typically have eight hours of lectures and seminars per week, with class sizes ranging from 20 to 70 students. Large lectures are normally accompanied by smaller seminar groups or small working groups. All members of staff have office hours during which you are free to visit for further discussions regarding your work.

Independent Study

For every hour spent in classes you will be expected to complete a further 2 - 3 hours of independent study. Your individual study time could be spent preparing for, or following up on formal study sessions; reading; producing written work; completing projects; and revising for examinations.

The direction of your individual study will be guided by the formal study sessions you attend, along with your reading lists and assignments. However, we expect you to demonstrate an active role in your own learning by reading widely and expanding your own knowledge, understanding and critical ability.

Independent study will foster in you the ability to identify your own learning needs and determine which areas you need to focus on to become proficient in your subject area. This is an important transferable skill and will help to prepare you for the transition to working life.

Assessment

You are assessed by a mixture of exams and coursework or by coursework only. Assessment in the final year will include the completion of a research project. This offers you the chance to carry out independently and in depth a sustained piece of research on a subject or case study of your own devising.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for Home and EU students

2018/19 Academic YearFull-time £9,250

Tuition fees for International students

2018/19 Academic YearFull-time £15,400

You can either take out a Tuition Fee Loan (see Funding section below) to pay your fees or, if you are paying them yourself, you can pay in instalments.

Tuition fees for a year abroad or placement year on a full time undergraduate course will be a proportion of the full fee for the year in which you commence your time abroad or placement.

For information on field trip and other course related costs which are not included in your tuition fee, please contact the relevant Department/School.

Through Student Finance England, you can apply for (figures relate to programmes starting from September 2016):

A Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,000 to pay all or part of your fees

A Maintenance Loan of up to £10,702 to help pay your living costs like rent, food and travel

Extra grants if you have a disability or you have children or an adult dependant

You might get a grant to cover some travel expenses if you normally live in England but study away from home. If you’re a medical or dental student you might also qualify for help with the costs of attending clinical placements in the UK.

Graduate employment

Graduates from Queen Mary’s School of Languages, Linguistics and Film go on to work in a wide variety of careers. Some apply their degree knowledge directly, entering careers such as education and the arts, whilst others transfer skills gained during study into areas such as public relations.

The broad range of skills gained through our programmes, coupled with multiple opportunities for extra-curricular activities and work experience, has enabled students to move into careers such as:

Trainee PR Account Executive

Mission PR

Advisor

St Peter's Community Centre

English Teacher

Madani Girls School

Editor

Weekly Times Newspaper

Freelance Events Manager

Tate Movie Project BBC

Retail Development Executive

Heineken UK

Independent Financial Advisor

Nationwide

Careers support

In today's competitive jobs market, employers expect graduates to have a range of skills and work experience. Being based in London is a distinct advantage, and at QMUL we have designed programmes of careers support to help you take advantage of our capital location.

Alongside your studies, you'll have opportunities to:

• attend networking or industry events

• apply for internships in your ideal area of work

• volunteer with local or national charities

• work part-time.

And there's plenty of day-to-day support too. Whether you need help with writing a CV, developing your interview skills or planning further study once you graduate, we have teams of advisers on hand to give you the advice and support you need.

Learning a language

Even if you're not studying a language as part of your degree, you can still develop these skills by signing up for a course in QMUL's Language Centre. Choose from: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Japanese or Spanish.

Profiles

Name: Anja Popp (graduated 2012)

Studying: BA Comparative Literature

“I wanted to be in a big city and to study at a credible university doing a literature-based degree that was more diverse than your average English degree. Queen Mary ticked all the boxes, as well as being campus based (you can practically roll out of your bed to lessons). It’s also connected to all the other University of London colleges which means you have loads of Students’ Unions and libraries at your disposal!"

“The teaching staff at Queen Mary are so inspiring, they all do tons of research aside from teaching us, so they’re always in the know. They push for us to be able to do less known texts, which not only broadens our horizons, but means we are constantly exploring new topics, rather than repeating the same generic set texts."

“Queen Mary is in a great location. East London epitomises the culture and diversity of the big smoke. It has a chilled out yet happening vibe, and the most delicious curry a woman could ask for. Brick lane and Shoreditch are really funky areas to hang out in, and Stratford is like a city in a city, with all the rejuvenation for the Olympics in 2012."

“I am learning Spanish with the Language Centre, as whenever I go travelling I always feel really ignorant that I only speak English. I’m definitely not a natural linguist, but I’m trying really hard, and plan to join a Spanish conversational class later this year.”